August 26, 2025 at 6:00 PM - Regular Meeting
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1. CALL TO ORDER
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2. WELCOME
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3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
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4. PRAYER
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5. SGA REPORT - Kennedy Juarez, SGA Vice-President
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6. REGENTS’ REPORTS, COMMITTEES, AND COMMENTS REGARDING AC AFFILIATES
Description:
Executive Committee - report by Barrett-Chair, Betancourt, Carlisle, Pesina
AC Foundation - report by Fortunato, Mize Amarillo Museum of Art (AMoA) - report by Fortunato Panhandle PBS - report by Thomas, Woodburn Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone (TIRZ) - report by Woodburn Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone 2 (TIRZ 2) - report by Betancourt Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone 3 (TIRZ 3) - report by Proffer Standing Policies & Procedures Committee - report by Carlisle-Chair, Fortunato, Hughes, Turner Finance Committee (AC Investment, Potential Lease & Sales Opportunities) - report by Mize-Chair, Barrett, Fortunato, Proffer Legislative Affairs Committee - report by Betancourt-Chair, Carlisle, Hughes, Woodburn Community College Association of Texas Trustees (CCATT) - report by Betancourt Nominating Committee - report by Woodburn-Chair, Fortunato, Proffer, Thomas |
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7. PRESIDENT’S REPORT - Dr. Jamelle Conner
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8. PUBLIC COMMENTS
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9. MINUTES
Description:
Minutes of the special board meeting retreat on July 15, 2025 and the special board meeting on August 12, 2025 have been provided to the Regents.
After discussion, the Board may wish to approve these minutes. |
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10. CONSENT AGENDA
Description:
A. APPOINTMENTS
The Faculty Appointments for approval by the Board are attached at page 7. B. BUDGET AMENDMENTS The Budget Amendments for approval by the Board are attached at page 8. C. CONTRACT WORK Electrical Work - Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Requesting approval to provide electrical work for the 2025-2026 Budget Year. Work will be provided by American Electric through the Texas Association of Community Colleges TCCCPN Contract # 022-13 American Electric. Estimated Price of work is $99,000.00. Funds are available in the 2025-2026 budget. Mechanical Work - Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Requesting approval to provide mechanical work for the 2025-2026 Budget Year. Work will be provided by Johnson Controls through the Co-op TIPS-USA Contract # 25010501 and Contract # 25010502. Estimated Price of work and supplies is $60,000.00. Funds are available in the 2025-2026 budget. Approval To Purchase Custodial Supplies For The 2023-2024 Budget Year Requesting approval to purchase custodial supplies for the 2025-2026 Budget Year. Purchases will be made with Empire Paper Company through the TexBuy Purchasing Cooperative Contract # TEXBUY RFP #024-020 for Statewide Custodial Supplies. Estimated price of supplies is $55,000.00. Funds are available in the 2025-2026 custodial budget Requesting approval to purchase custodial supplies for the 2025-2026 Budget Year. Purchases will be made with Mayfield Paper Company through the Buyboard Contract #747-24 for Custodial Supplies & Equipment. Estimated price of supplies is $80,000.00. Funds are available in the 2025-2026 custodial budget. After discussion, the Board may wish to approve the Consent Agenda. |
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11. CLOSED MEETING
Description:
There will be a closed meeting in order for the regents to deliberate the following:
Commercial or financial information received from a business prospect and/or to deliberate the offer of a financial or other incentive to a business prospect, pursuant to Section 551.087 of the Texas Government Code: #24-05-04 Flying Colors Representatives from Amarillo Economic Development Corporation will attend this part of the meeting. No action will be taken in the closed meeting. |
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12. FINANCIAL REPORTS - Tiffani Crosley
Description:
The financial statements for June 30 and July 31, 2025 are attached at pages 9 through 26.
After discussion, the Board may wish to accept the financial reports. |
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13. PRESENTATION OF THE PROPOSED 2025-2026 BUDGET - Chris Sharp
Description:
This item is placed on the agenda so that Chris Sharp, Vice President of Business Affairs, may present the 2025-2026 proposed budget and review related budgetary items.
No action is required on this item. |
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14. PUBLIC HEARING ON THE BUDGET FOR 2025-2026 FISCAL YEAR - Chris Sharp
Description:
At this time any person and/or persons wishing to come before the Board of Regents regarding the 2025-2026 budget for Amarillo College in the Amarillo Junior College District is given the opportunity to be heard.
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15. ADOPTION OF THE BUDGET FOR 2025-2026 FISCAL YEAR - Chris Sharp
Description:
We recommend the adoption of the budget by passing the following resolution:
R E S O L U T I O N WHEREAS, the legal requirements of the laws of the State of Texas and the regulations of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board regarding this document have been met; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the said proposed budget for the 2025-2026 fiscal year is hereby designated as the official budget for Amarillo College in the Amarillo Junior College District for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Mr. Jay Barrett, Chair of the Board of Regents of the Amarillo Junior College District, be directed to file copies of this official budget with the county clerks of Potter and Randall counties of Texas, and with the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board for distribution to the Governor's Budget and Planning Office, the Legislative Budget Board, and the Legislative Reference Library. After discussion the Board may wish to approve the proposed budget. |
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16. PUBLIC HEARING ON THE PROPOSED TAX RATE FOR 2025 - Chris Sharp
Description:
In accordance with provisions of Section 26.06 of the Texas Property Tax Code, a notice of a public hearing regarding the proposed tax rate for 2025 was published in the newspaper on August 18, 2025.
At this time any person and/or persons wishing to come before the Board of Regents regarding the proposed tax rate for 2025 for the Amarillo Junior College District is given the opportunity to be heard. |
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17. APPROVAL OF THE TAX RATE FOR 2025 - Chris Sharp
Description:
In accordance with the provisions of Section 26.06 of the Texas Property Tax Code, Amarillo Junior College District published a legal notice stating that the no-new-revenue tax rate for 2025 for the Amarillo Junior College District is $0.20773 per $100 of assessed value.
Adoption of the following resolution will set the 2025 Tax Rate at $0.21994 for operations. R E S O L U T I O N WHEREAS, the Chair of the Board of Regents of the Amarillo Junior College District has caused to be formulated and adopted a budget for Amarillo College in the Amarillo Junior College District for the fiscal year beginning September 1, 2025, and ending August 31, 2026, the tax year 2025, now, therefore, BE IT RESOLVED THAT: 1. An ad valorem tax of, and at the rate of five thousand six hundred thirty-one hundred thousandths cents ($0.05631) on the one-hundred dollar ($100) value thereof, estimated in lawful currency of the United States of America, be levied to pay interest on and provide a sinking fund for Amarillo College in the Amarillo Junior College District for bonds issued July 2, 2015, September 1, 2016, September 12, 2019, February 15, 2020, March 23, 2021, and April 7, 2022. 2. An ad valorem tax of, and at the rate of sixteen thousand three hundred sixty-three hundred thousandths cents ($0.16363) on the one-hundred dollar ($100) value thereof, estimated in lawful currency of the United States of America, be levied to pay for the support and maintenance of Amarillo College in the Amarillo Junior College District for the fiscal year 2025-2026, the tax year 2025. BE IT ORDERED by the Board of Regents of the Amarillo Junior College District that there is hereby levied for the tax year 2025 on all real property situated in, and all business personal property owned within the limits of said district on the first day of January 2025 same being the current year, except so much thereof as may be exempt by the Constitution and Laws of the State of Texas, or of the United States of America, a total of twenty-one thousand nine hundred ninety-four thousandths cents ($0.21994) on the one-hundred dollar ($100) value thereof, estimated in lawful currency of the United States of America for support and maintenance, payment of current interest, and a sinking fund for the retirement of bonds of Amarillo College in the Amarillo Junior College District for the fiscal year 2025-2026. "THIS TAX RATE WILL RAISE MORE TAXES FOR MAINTENANCE AND OPERATIONS THAN LAST YEAR’S TAX RATE." "THE TAX RATE WILL EFFECTIVELY BE RAISED BY 5.87% AND WILL RAISE TAXES FOR MAINTENANCE AND OPERATIONS ON A $100,000 HOME BY APPROXIMATELY $10.25." After discussion, the Board may wish to approve the tax rate. |
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18. DENTAL HYGIENE STUDENT KITS - Dr. Frank Sobey
Description:
Amarillo College requests approval for a one-time purchase of dental hygiene student kits totaling $98,153.00 from Henry Schein, utilizing the E&I Cooperative Contract #E100075. This purchase supports students entering the Dental Hygiene Program in Fall 2025 and includes essential clinical tools such as blood pressure kits and dental instruments.
The kits are required by the second week of classes, and timely procurement is critical to ensure students are equipped for clinical sessions. Funding for this purchase will be provided through institutional funds, with future student fees collected each semester to sustain annual kit purchases. The use of a cooperative contract eliminates the need for competitive quotes, streamlining the procurement process. After discussion, the Board may wish to approve the purchase of dental hygiene student kits. |
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19. TITLE V YEAR TWO TECH LABS BUDGET REQUEST – Frank Sobey
Description:
AC was awarded a grant from the U.S. Department of Education (Title V award #P031S230034) that includes Year 2 funding for instructional equipment and supplies for Amarillo College’s Technical Education Division. These items will address gaps in equipment needed to teach important industry skills as identified by our Business Leadership Council. The updated equipment and supplies will allow Amarillo College to impart knowledge and skills to students for jobs that are in high demand in the region and across the state.
The Title V grant budget for Year 2 equipment and supplies has received approval from the Department of Education, and the list of purchases is included on pages 27-28. Items will be purchased through one of the following methods: competitive quote process; direct purchase from an AC approved cooperative purchasing contract; formal bid process; or sole source provider. All of these methods meet the requirements for a competitive procurement process as mandated by the college’s internal procedure, state requirements, and federal Uniform Grant Guidance regulations. After discussion, the Board of Regents may wish to approve the purchase of Grant funded equipment and supplies. |
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20. BADGER BOUND SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM - Dr. Jamelle Conner
Description:
This item is placed on the agenda so that the Board of Regents may review the proposal and approve the Badger Bound Scholarship Program, a transformative initiative designed to strengthen the educational pipeline and create equitable early access to higher education for students across our entire service area. Students who complete 15 hours of dual credit qualify for free tuition up to 45 hours. Rooted in Amarillo College’s commitment to student success, this innovative scholarship is strategically aligned with House Bill 8 (HB8) performance funding metrics and serves as a scalable model for evidence-based student outcomes.
After discussion, the board of regents may wish to approve the proposal for the Badger Bound Scholarship Program. |
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21. FACULTY SENATE AND COMPLIANCE WITH SENATE BILL 37 – Mark White
Description:
Senate Bill 37, passed by the 89th Regular Legislative Session and signed into law on June 20, 2025, provides that a faculty senate at a public institution of higher education is abolished on September 1, 2025 unless it is ratified in accordance with the legislation. Drafts of the motions to accomplish the ratification have been provided to the regents.
After discussion, the board of regents may wish to approve the motions in order to adopt policies governing the Amarillo College faculty senate and to ratify and continue the Amarillo College faculty senate. |
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22. CLOSED MEETING
Description:
There will be a closed meeting for the Board of Regents to deliberate the following:
Private consultation with the college attorney to receive confidential advice on two litigation matters in accordance with Texas Government Code Section 551.071. President Jamelle Conner, Counsel Mark White, and Vice President of Business Affairs Chris Sharp will be asked to stay for both items. Outside counsel for the college may attend. No action will be taken in the closed meeting. |
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23. ADJOURNMENT
Description:
NOTE: The Board of Regents will have dinner at 5:15 p.m. in the College Union Building, 2nd Floor, Room 208. the Regular Meeting will begin at 6:00pm in the Palo Duro Room. If during the course of the meeting, any discussion of any item on the agenda or any other permitted matter(s) should be held in closed meeting, the Board will convene in such closed meeting in accordance with the applicable section of the Texas Government Code, Title 5, Chapter 551 et seq. |